Wavewalk Kayaks

Following Rox’ recommendation, we tested the clamp-mounted rod holder from Tite-Lok, and decided to add it to our selection of optional rod holders.

The advantages we see in this rod holder are:

1. Versatility - You can mount and dismount it within seconds, and change its location along the cockpit’s spray deflector. Both vertical and horizontal angles are easily adjustable.

2. Quality - This device is built to last.

The Tite-Lok 5615 clamp mounted rod holder attached to a W500 fishing kayak’s spray deflector.

The Tite-Lok clamp mount rod holder viewed separately from the kayak

Note that the clamp offers two different attachment spots fro the rod holder: on the side and on top.

Price: We’re offering the Tite-Lok rod holder with a clamp mount for a $45.

For more information on the rod holders we offer, visit our Fishing Kayak Rod Holders page

There’s a new article available on the exciting, complex, confusing, and often daunting subject of rigging your fishing kayak.

The article is called Rigging Your Fishing Kayak: Some Basic Practical Advice

The main message it conveys is that there’s no need to hurry and start outfitting your W kayak for fishing as soon as you take it out of the box in which it came, and it’s advisable to use it at least several times as is before you decide if and what type of rigging you’d like to add to it.

The article discusses typical rigging questions like rod holders, paddle holders, rudder, seat, outriggers, motor, anchor, milk crate etc.

We recommend that prospecting clients as well as new owners of W fishing kayaks read it.

Jeff did it again: Now he takes us on a video tour of his new W500 that’s fully rigged for saltwater fishing, yet features no milk crate!

And if you happen to wonder what fish are inside that blue bag at the bottom of the kayak’s hull, here’s, one of them - a nice, tasty looking sea trout:

We’re moving to a new location, south of Boston, in the end of August.

Until August 20th, 2009, all W kayaks and W fishing kayaks we have in stock will be on sale, and you’ll be able to get a 10% discount on them.

After that date all kayak prices will go back to normal.

Unfortunately, we can’t offer any discounts on shipping, paddles, anchors, rod holders and stake-out poles.

Yoav

W kayakers usually report excellent performance of their boats under wind, mainly because it tracks well and offers various means for power-paddling and counter-affecting the wind.

Here are some tips that can improve your W kayak’s performance when you’re paddling in strong wind:

1. Paddle only in the Riding Position, and lean a bit forward, with your knees lower than your hips - That would give you extra power.

2. Paddle from the middle of the cockpit, as much as possible -

• If you paddle from its rear it would raise your W kayak’s bow and expose it to the wind, and the boat will turn away from the wind.
• If you paddle from the front of the cockpit, the stern will go up, and the kayak will turn into the wind.

3. Lean your W kayak into the wind - That would make it harder for it to affect the course of your W kayak.

4. Cover the front of the cockpit - That would improve the cockpit’s aerodynamics. Any waterproof fabric or plastic sheet would do for that matter. Every W kayak comes with a preparation for a cockpit cover that’s easy to use, and you can cover the cockpit in seconds.

5. Apply short J strokes on the side from which the wind is blowing, and more powerful strokes on the lee side (the sheltered side) - That would help you track.  You may even hold the paddle not from its middle, so that you can apply longer strokes on the lee side.

6. Any object protruding from the deck is exposed to the wind, and therefore generates additional drag - Dismount deck mounted rod holders, and store your fishing rods inside the hulls whenever possible. A milk crate would act as a small sail that’s controlled by the wind, so you’d better avoid using one.

7. Keep paddling in a steady pace and a straight course - This is not about one-time corrections, but about minimizing your effort and getting there. Precision and efficiency are as important as power.

8. Again: Remember you can move fore and aft along the saddle, and by that control the angle in which your W kayak will point relatively to the direction from which the wind blows: Paddling from a forward position will tend to point the bow into the wind, and paddling from a backward position would tend to point the bow sideways and away from the wind (not a desirable thing).

Here is an instructional video on the subject:

Noel Mascarenhas is a kayak fisherman from Texas, who just got his new W500 fishing kayak. Here is his ‘first impression’ review of it:

-”We christened the W500 today, it was awesome.  At first it took some getting used to on balance as my son 12 and myself went, but once we got the hang of it, it was like learning to ride a bike, then it was easy.  My buddy who is 250 lbs tried it with his daughter (around 60-70 lbs) and he liked it too.  I’ve been sending pics of my kayak to a lot of people and everyone is impressed with it.

I have only paddled a canoe once in the past and I was surprised at how easy it is to paddle the wavewalk.

Here are some pics, we just returned from the lake..

Thanks for a great product.  I did notice that the pontoons deflect outward with more weight, which is normal.

Noel”

UPDATE (June 27): Noel’s Motorized W500 Fishing Kayak

Norm Craig from Rhode Island owns a W500 fishing kayak (see his kayak review), and he sent us some new ideas for rigging:
-”Went fishing and wildlife watching this morning. Took a pic of my big W to show ya a few Ideas:

Rod or paddle holder made out of closet shelving: Cut the shelving 3 rods wide, bend to your liking, and bend it to clip under the lip of cockpit. EASY……No riveting ,movable, and easy on and off.

Old canoe seat I had modified: Nylon strap cut to length. Stitch in  2 round 1″key holders, hook to clips on Yak. Slide seat back and forth for back adjustment .  To beach Yak unhook rings, slide seat back and off ya go. EASY

Find a car console that you like (about $5.00), get some gorilla glue and a foam floor mat. Cut the mat to the bottom of the console, glue as many pieces as it takes to be even with the bottom of the console. Make two 7″ strips out of the foam mat, 1 1/4″high, 1″ thick. Glue to bottom of console spacing, so they will fit into slits on kayak seat.
Nice and snug , easy on and off - use it if you like.

I was at a nice kayak shop today watching people cramming themselves into $2,000 kayaks. Oh my back felt bad just watching. I didn’t say anything but I wanted to.

-Norm”

And here is the movie that Jeff sent us, showing his new fishing rod holder, or positioning device:

Motor freight companies keep benefiting from the drop in fuel cost, and they transfer much of the difference to us. Since we’ve been shipping quite a lot with them they’ve also given us better prices.

Consequently, we’re able to lower the price of shipping our W-kayaks to all US regions, and to Canada.

The new kayak shipping price list features on our ordering and product info pages.

In addition, people who order kayaks during the month of February 09 benefit from a special $25 discount on shipping per kayak.

Alternatively, those who prefer it can convert this $25 cash rebate to a free RAP-340 or RAP-341 deck mounted rod holder ($45 value), or a free extra pair of side flotation modules ($40 value).

We ship each kayak in a cardboard box, for best protection.

The carriers have instructions to call our customers before delivering the kayaks to their address.

We filed no claims in 2008.

Wavewalk is offering a line of gear and accessories for rigging your fishing kayak.

The line includes paddles, paddle holders, anchors, stake out pole, deck rigging, flotation modules, deck mount rod holders, flush mount rod holders, kayak carry handles, and our Wavewalk hat.

We offer these products as a service to customers who bought a W-kayak from us, and are looking to either extend their basic order, or get spare parts after the initial purchase.

Craig is a fly fisherman from central Massachusetts who rigged his new 2008 W Fishing Kayak in an innovative yet simple and elegant way.

You can read about Craig and his fly fishing W kayak in this new review.

View of Craig’s 2008 W fly fishing kayak - Note the innovative fly rod holder.



1. Model F6 was discontinued.

Fishing kayaks with more than 4 flush mount rod holders will still be available by special order at $25 for each additional flush mount rod holder.

2. The Camo (camouflage) color was discontinued.

Camo painted W kayaks will be available by special order for an extra payment of $120.

3. Model TRC was discontinued.

Bungees for attaching gear to the top side of the hull tips will no longer be available.

We introduced these changes in order to facilitate ordering. We thought the best way to do it was by eliminating unpopular choices.